How IELTS scores work in short
IELTS is scored from band 0 to band 9 in half bands. You get a band for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, and an overall band that is the average of the four, rounded to the nearest half band. There is no pass or fail: each university, employer or visa sets the score it needs.
- Listening and Reading: your number of correct answers out of 40 is converted to a band.
- Writing and Speaking: examiners mark you against four criteria, using the official band descriptors.
- Overall: add your four scores and divide by four. An average ending in .25 rounds up to the next half band, and .75 rounds up to the next whole band.
IELTS overall score calculator: add up your four scores
Add your Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking bands together, then find your total below to see your overall band.
Examples from IELTS: an average of 6.25 rounds up to 6.5, an average of 6.125 rounds down to 6.0, and an average of 3.875 rounds up to 4.0.
Why the total matters more than any one skill
Because the overall band is an average, half a band in any skill adds exactly the same amount to your total. That makes the total the quickest way to see how far you are from your target, and which skill is the cheapest place to find the missing points.
- Example: Listening 6.5, Reading 6.0, Writing 5.5 and Speaking 6.0 add up to 24, which is overall 6.0. Half a band more in any one skill makes 24.5, still 6.0. Half a band in two skills makes 25, which is overall 6.5.
- Your lowest skill is usually the easiest one to raise, because there is more room to improve.
- Many courses and visas also set a minimum for each skill, so check both your overall band and each skill.
Key insight
Want to know how long your gap will take to close? The free IELTS study plan uses your four scores and exam date to estimate it.
What each IELTS band means and its CEFR level
IELTS gives each whole band a name. Half bands sit between the two.
IELTS gives B2 as 5.5 to 6.5, C1 as 7 to 8 and C2 as about 9, and says band 5 is borderline between B1 and B2. IELTS also says its bands have never lined up exactly with CEFR levels, so treat this as a guide.
Guides for each band
Each guide covers how many correct answers you need, what Writing and Speaking look like at that band, how long it takes, and a study plan.
- How to get IELTS band 5 and 5.5: from band 4, vocabulary and complete answers come first.
- How to get IELTS band 6: the most searched band, with data from Thai learners on ClayLingua.
- How to get IELTS band 6.5: a common master's requirement, where some criteria reach band 7.
- How to get IELTS band 7: what examiners look for at band 7, and why many learners get stuck at 6.5.
- How long to prepare for IELTS: what you can change in one week, one month or three months.
- IELTS cost in Thailand: exam fees at IDP and British Council, and how to avoid paying twice.
See the band you could reach by your exam
Enter your four scores, exam date and study time. You get a projected band and a study plan for each day. About 1 minute, no sign up needed.
Listening and Reading: correct answers for each band
Both tests have 40 questions. General Training Reading needs more correct answers for the same band, because its texts are easier.
Approximate. IELTS publishes average marks of 16, 23, 30 and 35 for Listening bands 5, 6, 7 and 8, the same for Academic Reading, and 15, 23, 30 and 35 for General Training Reading bands 4, 5, 6 and 7. Exact numbers change a little between test versions.
Writing and Speaking: four criteria each
Writing and Speaking have no correct answers. A trained examiner gives you a band for each of four criteria, using the official band descriptors, and these make up your skill band.
- Writing: Task Response (Task Achievement in Task 1), Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Task 2 counts for more than Task 1.
- Speaking: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation.
- A half band such as 6.5 usually means some criteria are at the band above and some at the band below.
Note
In 2024 to 2025, Thai Academic test takers averaged 6.54 in Reading, 6.24 in Listening, 5.95 in Speaking and 5.81 in Writing, so Writing and Speaking are where most Thai learners lose points.
IELTS compared with CEFR and TOEIC
There is no official conversion between IELTS and TOEIC. The fairest comparison goes through the CEFR, using each test maker's own figures.
IELTS ranges for B2 and C1 come from IELTS; the B1 range is approximate. TOEIC figures are the minimum scores for each CEFR level published by ETS for the TOEIC Listening and Reading test; the total is the two added together. TOEIC Listening and Reading does not test writing or speaking, so a TOEIC score says nothing about the half of IELTS that most Thai learners find hardest.
What is a good IELTS score?
A good score is the one your goal asks for. As a guide, Thai Academic test takers averaged 6.2 overall in 2024 to 2025, and General Training test takers averaged 5.4.
- 6.0: a common minimum for undergraduate courses, often with no skill below 5.5.
- 6.5: a common minimum for postgraduate courses, often with no skill below 6.0.
- 7.0 and above: competitive courses and many professional requirements. Australia's "proficient English" visa level means 7 in each skill.
- On ClayLingua, most learners starting from 5.0 or 5.5 aim for 6.5 (31% of 67 learners) or 7.0 (39%).
Create your free personalised IELTS study plan
See the band you could reach by your exam, which skills to focus on first, and what to study each day.
About 1 minute · No sign up needed.
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What band do you need?
Your overall IELTS target.
IELTS scores: frequently asked questions
How is the IELTS overall score calculated?
Add your Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking bands and divide by four. The result is rounded to the nearest half band: an average ending in .25 rounds up to the next half band, and .75 rounds up to the next whole band. For example, an average of 6.25 gives 6.5 overall.
Is there a pass mark in IELTS?
No. IELTS has no pass or fail. Each university, employer or visa sets the band it needs, sometimes with a minimum for each skill.
What CEFR level is my IELTS score?
IELTS gives B2 as about 5.5 to 6.5, C1 as 7 to 8 and C2 as about 9. Band 5 is borderline between B1 and B2. IELTS says the two scales do not line up exactly, so use this as a guide.
How does IELTS compare with TOEIC?
There is no official conversion. Through the CEFR, IELTS 5.5 to 6.5 (B2) compares with TOEIC Listening 400 and Reading 385 or above, about 785 in total, using the minimum scores ETS publishes. TOEIC Listening and Reading does not test writing or speaking.
How long is an IELTS score valid?
Most universities and organisations accept IELTS results for two years after the test date. Some set a shorter period, so check with the place you are applying to.
Can I retake just one skill?
Yes. With IELTS One Skill Retake, you can retake one skill within 60 days of a computer delivered test, and you can use whichever result is better. Check whether your university or visa accepts it. See IELTS cost in Thailand for the fee.
Know your score? See how long your target will take
Enter your four scores and exam date to get your projected band and a daily study plan.
Sources
- IELTS: Understanding your score. Band descriptions, average marks for each band and the rounding rule
- IELTS: Test statistics 2024 to 2025. Average scores by nationality, including Thai Academic test takers
- IELTS Writing band descriptors. What examiners look for at band 6 and band 7
- IELTS Speaking band descriptors. What examiners look for at band 6 and band 7
- IELTS and the CEFR. How IELTS bands compare with CEFR levels
- ETS: Mapping the TOEIC tests on the CEFR. Minimum TOEIC Listening and Reading scores for each CEFR level
